The National Industrial Court (NIC) has barred organised labour in the Federal Capital Territory from proceeding with a planned mass protest against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The court’s decision followed an ex parte application filed by the FCT Minister and the FCTA, seeking to restrain labour unions from carrying out protest actions scheduled for Tuesday or any subsequent date.
The workers involved are members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Justice Emmanuel Sibilim, who presided over the matter on Monday, granted an interim injunction restraining the unions and their leadership from embarking on any form of strike or protest pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.
The suit was instituted by Mr. James Onoja, SAN, on behalf of the FCT Minister and the FCTA, and was marked NICN/ABJ/30/26.
Other defendants named in the matter include prominent labour leaders Benson Upah, General N.A. Toro, and Stephen Knabayi.
After hearing submissions from the claimants’ counsel, the court held that maintaining public order in the nation’s capital was paramount and granted the interim relief sought.
Justice Sibilim also directed security agencies listed as defendants in the suit to ensure that law and order are preserved within the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case to Feb. 10 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
In support of the application, the claimants informed the court that the chairman of the FCT council of workers’ unions had circulated mobilisation messages calling on members and affiliate unions to participate in a mass protest slated for Feb. 3.
According to the claimants, the move directly violated an earlier court order.
Onoja told the court that following a ruling delivered on Jan. 27, copies of the court’s order were served on the NLC and TUC the same day.
Despite this, the unions allegedly issued directives instructing affiliated unions to escalate and sustain the strike action.
He further explained that the unions justified their action on the grounds that their legal counsel, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, had filed an appeal against the interlocutory ruling, thereby encouraging workers to disregard the court order.
According to the claimants, workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) of the FCTA subsequently issued internal circulars directing staff to remain on strike, a development the FCT authorities argued could lead to a breakdown of law and order in Abuja.
The application was also anchored on events that occurred on Jan. 19, when FCTA workers reportedly commenced industrial action by barricading offices and shutting down the FCTA Secretariat.
The strike action, the claimants said, led to the closure of public schools, ministries, departments, and agencies, effectively paralysing government operations within the capital territory.
The claimants maintained that the continued industrial action posed a serious threat to public safety and governance, thereby necessitating urgent judicial intervention.
